Experience Your Best New York State Vacation

Why do people from all over the world head to the spectacular New York State foliage display? Unlike the rest of the country, the Northeast is particularly blessed with a great variety of broad-leaved trees, which help give the region's foliage a spectacular color range. New York State has almost as many acres of such trees as the rest of the Northeast combined.

The change in color from the bright greens of summer to the brilliant hues of fall follows a predictable pattern across the state. It begins high in the Adirondack and Catskill mountains in late August and early September, and spreads out and down across the hills and valleys of the state, ending on Long Island and in New York City in late October to early November. It takes about two weeks for the colors to complete their cycles in any given area, with peak brilliance lasting three to four days in any one spot.

Best Time to Go

It’s infamously difficult to schedule New York State vacations that coincide with both good weather and reduced crowds, but the best bet for striking this ideal balance is planning a New York State vacation for April or May when weather is good but summer crowds have not yet inundated the region. While this window of time doesn’t offer the best of the area’s events, it provides travelers on a New York State vacation an opportunity to explore The Big Apple with less hectic surroundings, as well as cooler weather ideal for outdoor events. During this springtime window, Visitors can enjoy Hanami, a Japanese ritual involving cherry blossoms.

New York Vacation Packages

OverviewMidtown Manhattan's Park Central Hotel is famous for its illustrious past and current design. Built in 1927, the hotel combines the glamor of 'The Roaring Twenties' with a contemporary feel that was enhanced through a massive renovation in 2013, headed by... More

AAA 4-diamond winner at Niagara landmark hotel and casinoA multiple AAA 4-diamond award winner, the Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino is the largest hotel in Western New York and includes a landmark casino with 4,200 slots and 100 games tables. Three on-site venues feature... More

Downtown hotel with award-winning restaurant near the capitol building Hampton Inn & Suites Albany-Downtown offers fresh, contemporary guest rooms and suites in neutral tones, with sharp accents such as black-and-white photographs of Albany sights. Two restaurants... More

Discover the best of New York City at this Brooklyn hotel- 100% non-smoking, close to the Brooklyn Childrens Museum and the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens.
The BEST WESTERN PLUS Arena Hotel, a newly-constructed hotel, is committed to providing guests with friendly customer... More

100% Non-Smoking Hotel
Located just 2.5 miles from JFK Airport in Ozone Park, NY, the La Quinta Inn & Suites JFK Airport offers a convenient free shuttle service to/from JFK Airport 24 hours a day only for our guests. We're minutes from the first casino in New York... More

Known for its elegant accommodations with breathtaking views and unrivaled service. The landmark 1882 Villard Mansion and world renowned courtyard incorporates motifs from several 15th Century Italian cathedrals and serves as the entranceway to a contemporary 55 story... More

Niagara Falls Hotel Offers Perfect Location on the New York and Canada Border Welcome to the Holiday Inn Niagara Falls Hotel . Located at the New York and Ontario, Canada Border, our hotel at Niagara Falls is close to not only the falls but many other area attractions, as... More

SUNY Albany area hotel with studios and suites CrestHill Suites Albany is located at the University at Albany - SUNY, midway between downtown Albany and the airport. Adjacent Interstate highways I-80 and I-90 put Capital District attractions and destinations within reach.... More

From the moment you walk into Hotel Indigo Brooklyn New York, you will notice the unique connection between this contemporary, upscale boutique hotel and the neighborhood around it. From the artwork on the walls to the furniture in every room, our staff welcomes you with... More

Welcome to Lexington Inn at JFK Airport located off the Van Wyck Expressway in the New York City borough of Queens. We are conveniently situated minutes from both John F. Kennedy International and LaGuardia International Airports and near to Queens College St. Johns... More

* Prices reflect the lowest "base rate" found over the next 30 days. Rates are subject to change and may not include taxes and fees, hotel service charges, extra person charges, or incidentals, such as room service. All rates are displayed in USD unless otherwise noted. Converted rates are provided for your convenience. They are based on today's exchange rate, but the hotel will charge you in the local currency.

Promo Code Terms and Conditions

150VACABook a qualifying 4-night flight + hotel vacation package between January 1, 2014 12:00AM CST and June 30, 2015 11:59PM CST, for $1000 or more for travel between January 1, 2014 and September 30, 2015 via Orbitz and instantly receive $150 off the hotel portion of your booking through the use of the promotion code. Limit one discount per hotel room and one promotion code per booking. Discounts are not redeemable for cash for any reason. Promotion codes cannot be resold. Any attempt at fraud will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Void where prohibited, taxed or restricted. Orbitz reserves the right to change or limit the promotion in its sole discretion. Promo code not valid for Las Vegas, NV bookings.

Hike the High Peaks

The crimsons, golds and purples of the Adirondack autumn will suck the film right out of your camera, and viewing experiences are abundant. You can try hiking one of the Adirondacks' 46 high peaks, and many, including the highest, Mt. Marcy, are within the ability of even novice climbers. The views from 5,344-foot-high Mt. Marcy and its sister peaks are outstanding in any season. Another amazing option would be filming the foliage from the ground level, especially when mirrored against Tupper Lake, Saranac Lake or world-famous Lake Placid. A third exhilarating experience would be enjoying views of Lake George in a hot-air balloon ride. Other family fun activities include the Adirondack Museum at Blue Mountain Lake and Tucker's Farm corn maize in Gabriels.

Bike the Hudson Valley

The Hudson Valley's celebrated beauty spawned an entire school of art, and an autumn bike tour of this historic and picturesque region will show you why. Stately estates, farmers markets, state parks, and incomparable views are just a few of the delights awaiting the cyclist. On the east bank of the Hudson River, a tour beginning in Hyde Park takes you past the Vanderbilt Mansion and the Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome, where you can see an air show, take a ride in a biplane, or just admire the antique aero planes. On the west bank, bike through leafy yellow tunnels formed by the overhanging trees along Harriman State Park's Seven Lakes Drive and gape at the views of the Hudson from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

Hike the Finger Lakes Region

The Finger Lakes region abounds in nature centers and wildlife preserves with thousands of acres set aside for hiking, canoeing and other outdoor pursuits. Good bets include the Beaver Lake Nature Center in Baldwinsville, the Howland Island Wildlife Management Area in Cayuga and the Limehollow Nature Center in Cortland. A must-see for leaf peepers is the Genesee Gorge, the 17-mile-long "Grand Canyon of the East" whose blue waters are sandwiched between blazing hills in Letchworth State Park. A favorite for wine enthusiasts is the Seneca Lake Wine Trail which begins in Branchport and ends in Watkins Glen. A popular option for foodies is the Wayne County Annual Apple Tasting Tour in Lyons in October.

Niagara Falls

Okay, let's ignore the wedding and honeymoon thing for a minute and just focus on the water. It flows down the Niagara River, picking up momentum as it courses along its ancient migratory pathway, reaching speeds of up to 30 mph before tumbling hundreds of thousands of gallons at a time over the craggy rocks of Niagara Falls. Take in the view in any number of ways: With your toes just inches from both sets of falls, the American Falls and the Horseshoe Falls; from your hotel room from way up high; or from the middle of the action, with the mist spraying up in your face. Whichever way chosen, the trip will be exhilarating.

Eleven Madison Park

Try booking a table at New York City’s number one eatery, Eleven Madison Park, and relish in five-star delicatessens.

Finger Lakes

Explore various segments of the Finger Lakes’ 560-mile-long trail, enjoying tastes of natural American diversity along the way.

Saratoga Race Course

Enjoy the United States’ oldest racetrack, Saratoga Race Course, established in 1863 and open all summer long.

Brooklyn Bridge

Admire enough inimitable and iconic views along one single stroll of the Brooklyn Bridge to fill an entire lifetime.

Modern Spiritualist Movement

Get your fortune told at Lily Dale, home of the Modern Spiritualist Movement on Cassadaga Lake.

Shawangunk Wine Trail

Explore 11 wineries along the Shawangunk Wine Trail while enjoying the state’s unforgettable variety of cultivars.

Greenmarket

Visit the Greenmarket on Union Square where farmers flock to sell their fresh produce.

Niagara Falls

View the famous Niagara Falls from an incredible vantage point or head straight into the spray aboard the Maid of the Mist.

Brooklyn Pizza

Take the Slice of Brooklyn Pizza Tour and discover the most popular pizzerias and famous film locations in the area.

Central Park

Even more famous than Central Perk – the coffee shop in Friends - Central Park receives thirty-five million visitors annually.

Introduction

Most visitors embarking on New York State vacations envision the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, and the capital city’s famous yellow cabs. But truth is, the sprawling and often bucolic New York State features 11 different regions, all of which offer their own take on the balance between coastal culture and proximity to the World’s Capital. New York State travel doesn’t have to stop at the city’s limits. Travelers willing to venture away from the world-famous burrows will discover historical attractions, genuine American hospitality, and abundant natural beauty stretching from countrywide to dramatic coast.